Press Releases
Van Hollen, Warren Lead Senators in Urging the State Department to Provide Humanitarian Assistance to the Palestinian People to Fight Coronavirus
United States Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led a letter to Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo urging him to take every reasonable step to lawfully provide medicine, medical equipment, and other necessary humanitarian assistance to the West Bank and Gaza Strip (Palestinian Territories) to fight the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. The senators noted that President Trump has offered assistance to other countries fighting the coronavirus, … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Maryland Delegation Helps Secure Major Disaster Declaration, Unlocking Additional Federal Resources to Fight COVID-19
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, announced quick approval by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of a major disaster declaration for the State of Maryland related to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Such approval is necessary to assure Maryland’s eligibility for an … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Van Hollen, Baldwin, Colleagues Urge FDA to Change Discriminatory Blood Donation Policies to Combat Coronavirus Pandemic
In the midst of a nationwide shortage of donated blood spurred by the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) and a number of their colleagues in raising concerns with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) discriminatory blood donation deferral policy for men who have sex with men (MSM).While government health officials encourage every healthy individual to consider donating blood, the … Continue Reading
March 26, 2020
Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Moran, Colleagues, Urge Federal Trade Commission to Protect Seniors from Coronavirus Scams
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) in urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect seniors from coronavirus-related scams. In response to the recent increase in these scams the letter to FTC Chairman Joseph Simons calls on the FTC to better inform seniors about coronavirus scams and assist victims in understanding their recourse options to ensure that seniors are protected from those attempting to financially exploit them … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Van Hollen Secures Protections for Maryland Families, Workers, Small Businesses in Senate Phase 3 Coronavirus Package
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in support of the Phase 3 coronavirus package.“Our healthcare workers on the front lines of the fight against coronavirus need our help now, as do American families, workers, and small businesses who are being hit by the economic fallout. We fought successfully to ensure this rescue package provides a surge of support to overcrowded hospitals and health centers, and throws an economic lifeline to … Continue Reading
March 25, 2020
Maryland Delegation Asks President Trump to Fast-Track Approval of Statewide Disaster Declaration for COVID-19 Pandemic
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, is urging President Donald Trump to swiftly approve Governor Larry Hogan’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Maryland as a result of the impacts of the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). Team Maryland has been working … Continue Reading
March 24, 2020
Maryland Delegation Urges FEMA to Quickly Accept State Request for Field Medical Stations in Baltimore
The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, has written to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asking for immediate approval of Governor Larry Hogan’s request for two federal medical stations in Baltimore. These units would increase Maryland’s hospital capacity by 300 beds and add … Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, and Bennet Lead Colleagues in Urging GOP to Ensure All Students Can Remotely Continue Education during Coronavirus Emergency
U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) led 16 of their colleagues in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, urging them to support robust funding for all K-12 students to have adequate home internet connectivity if their schools close due to the ongoing pandemic in the next version of the coronavirus relief package. The Senators expressed their profound disappointment with the … Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
Van Hollen Statement on Current Phase Three Coronavirus Package
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote in opposition to moving forward with the current version of the phase three coronavirus package.“After claiming they wanted to put American families, workers, and small businesses first, Republicans have pulled a total U-turn, with a package that instead bails out big corporations with a slush fund without adequate safeguards to protect the public interest. I urge Republicans to come back to the … Continue Reading
March 22, 2020
Van Hollen, Bennet, Senate Democrats Send Letter to President Trump Demanding Answers About Testing and Equipment Shortages
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), along with every member of the Senate Democratic Caucus, in sending a letter to President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence demanding answers about supplies and equipment in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) critical to addressing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The senators asked the president and vice president … Continue Reading
March 21, 2020
Van Hollen, Brown Announce Legislation to Cap Consumer Lending Rates During COVID-19 Outbreak
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) announced legislation to temporarily cap consumer lending rates, also known as usury rates, at 36 percent during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Senators also urged leadership to include this cap within the phase three coronavirus emergency package. The legislation, as described in their letter below, would amend the Military Lending Act to extend to all consumers the credit protections provided to members of the Armed Forces … Continue Reading
March 21, 2020
Van Hollen, Lankford, Sinema Announce Bipartisan Legislation Requiring Federal Agencies to Maximize Telework for Employees
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) announced the Emergency Telework Act, legislation requiring federal agencies to maximize their telework policies for federal employees. During the current public health emergency, this legislation would give a clear directive to all federal agencies to allow all telework-eligible federal workers to telework full-time, unless there is a clear and compelling reason not to do so. It would further … Continue Reading
March 21, 2020
Van Hollen, Warren, Brown, and Durbin Urge Congressional Negotiators to Cancel Student Loan Payments and Debt in COVID-19 Response Package
United States Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in sending a letter to Congressional negotiators, urging them to cancel student loan payments and debt in the COVID-19 response package. "Students and families should not have to worry that they will go into default on their student loans during or immediately after this emergency--they should be worried about keeping themselves and … Continue Reading
March 21, 2020
Van Hollen, Baldwin, Shaheen Call for No Junk Plans Act and Enrollment Assistance in Economic Stimulus Assistance Response Legislation
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread throughout the United States, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in sending a letter to Senate leadership calling for the COVID-19 economic stimulus response legislation to include the No Junk Plans Act, as well as a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and additional funding for outreach and enrollment. This would overturn the Trump administration’s expansion of junk health insurance plans … Continue Reading
March 21, 2020
Van Hollen Joins Bipartisan Call Urging Trump Administration to Work With Congress to Deliver Relief to U.S. Airports
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), both members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, along with a bipartisan group of 38 Senators in calling on the Trump administration to work with Congress to deliver much-needed assistance to airports across the country grappling with the urgent public health challenges posed by the coronavirus. In a letter to President Trump, the Senators wrote, “Airports play a key role in our local and regional economies and … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Colleagues Urge Negotiators to Close Digital Divide, Homework Gap in Coronavirus Funding Package
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) led a letter with 10 of their colleagues in urging leadership to address the digital divide and the homework gap within the phase three coronavirus funding package. As more and more schools transition to online learning due to the impact of the coronavirus, students without access to internet risk falling significantly behind their classmates. The homework gap - which refers to students who do not have access to … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen Urges Increase in CDFI Fund to Support Local Communities in COVID-19 Response
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) urged Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to increase funding for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund within the phase three coronavirus package. The CDFI Fund provides financial and technical assistance grants to local financial institutions that are mission-focused and often provide financing to small businesses, non- profits, affordable housing, and community development projects in … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, King Urge Negotiators to Establish a Special Adviser to the President on Global Health Security within Phase 3 Package
Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Angus King (I-Maine) sent a letter to Senate leadership urging them to establish a Special Adviser to the President for Global Health Security, within the negotiated phase three coronavirus package. As noted in their letter, the Special Adviser would lead a Directorate for Global Health Security at the White House National Security Council and would advise the White House on global health crises. President Obama had previously established this … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Murphy, Merkley Propose Robust Rescue Plan for Small and Mid-Size Businesses and Nonprofits
Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), on Friday rolled out a proposal that would provide much-needed liquidity for small and medium businesses during the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. The Main Street Emergency Grant Program would allow small businesses to apply for grants through the Treasury Department to cover fixed costs like payroll and rent. Those grants would revert to loans that would have to be paid back only if the … Continue Reading
March 20, 2020
Van Hollen, Markey, Colleagues Urge Protections for Airline Employees and Contractors in Coronavirus Economic Stimulus Legislation
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), along with a number of their colleagues, sent a letter to Senate leadership calling for the inclusion of protections for employees and contractors in any financial assistance to the airline industry.The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has dealt a financial blow to the country’s airlines. However, the industry’s business practices over many years have exacerbated the issues they currently face. Following years of … Continue Reading
